Canning books trustworthy?

[apple*tart]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out.

 

[sparrowgrass]

The U. of Minnesota has a good web page on canning safety, that explains the difference between low acid and high acid foods.

Safe Home Canning of Fruits, Vegetables and Meats

You can test the acidity with litmus paper.

 

[mcnerd]

You can test the acidity with litmus paper.

Yes you can test the pH of liquid (water) with litmus paper, but it does not work for food solids. Common sense would tell you that, but you can also ask any food safety authority. Even with sophisticated testing equipment under laboratory conditions food scientists find it often difficult.